The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX), aimed at optimizing data exchanges between government agencies and citizens.
Objectives and Benefits of NGDX
Minister of Communication and Digital Economy Dr. Bosun Tijani stated that the NGDX platform will provide secure and seamless data sharing between government and business. It aims to end the repetitive submission of the same data to multiple government agencies. According to Tijani, NGDX will unlock innovation and drive economic growth, delivering smarter and faster services to citizens.
Project Implementation Details
NGDX was presented at the Data Exchange Conference organized by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa emphasized that the platform will enhance private organizations' access to data, simplifying the new user verification process. The project is also backed by the European Union under its Global Gateway initiative and is set to go live by the end of 2025.
Data Security Concerns
Despite its benefits, the NGDX initiative raises concerns regarding data security. Citizens need assurance that their biometric data will only be accessible to authorized agencies. The government must provide further guarantees of security and data protection to prevent potential cyberattacks or information leaks during data transmission.
The launch of the NGDX platform marks a significant step towards improving data exchange in Nigeria, yet issues of security and privacy remain pressing.
